City preparing for storm, encourages residents to take caution this evening

October 15, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

SEATTLE – With high-winds and rain predicted for Seattle and much of the Pacific Northwest Saturday evening and Sunday morning, the City of Seattle is advising residents totake precautions at home and when traveling. Residents should defer traveling during the storm, avoid and report downed power lines and trees, and be cautious near areas experiencing flooding.

Mayor Ed Murray activated the City of Seattle’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 3 P.M. today to coordinate City agencies ahead of and during the severe storm. The City of Seattle also activated the Joint Information Center (JIC) in support of EOC Operations. Please direct all media inquiries to the JIC using 206-233-5072.

Storm Safety Information

Please call 911 to report downed lines, do not touch or attempt to remove lines that have fallen during the storm.

If you lose power at home, please call (206) 684-3000 to report the outage or call the Power Outage Hotline at (206) 684-7400 to hear a recorded message with power restoration updates.

Sign up forand use AlertSeattle atalert.seattle.govfor up-to-date information from the City of Seattle.

For individuals using life-sustaining and medical equipment, please contact and register with your utility company. For more information call (206) 684-3020.

Remember to treatintersections that are impacted by power outages as four-way stops.

Check the Metro and Sound Transit websites for any impacts to your transit routes.

Keep storm drains free of leaves and other debris to prevent streets from flooding. Be sure to stay out of the road when raking.

All Seattle Parks and Recreation grass athletic fields, including West Seattle Stadium, will be closed through the weekend. Most importantly, please remember to safe and use extreme caution outdoors.Parks officials encourage residents to avoid Seattle parks entirely this weekend due to the high-winds.

Seattle Parks has cancelled programs and activities in parks across the system. For the most up-to-date information please visitseattle.gov/parks

Generally, we want to remind you that if you do lose power, keep grills, camping stoves and generators outside. Fuel burning appliances are sources of carbon monoxide, a dangerous and poisonous gas.

Have an emergency preparedness kit ready to help you get through until power is restored.

A co-ed emergency shelter for 100 adults will be openSaturday and Sunday nights (10/15 – 10/16) at the Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion–near 2ndand Thomas, south of Key Arena and west of the Armory on the grounds of the Seattle Center. The shelter will open from 7 P.M. to 7AM.

In addition, the King County Shelter for adult males has expanded capacity to serve 50 additional men through Tuesday, (10/15 – 10/18). The King County Shelter is located at the King County Administration Building at 500 4thAvenue in Seattle. The shelter opens at 7 P.M.

The City Hall Co-ed shelter at 600 4thAve in Seattle will expand capacity through Tuesday (10/15 – 10/18) with an emphasis on accommodating women seeking shelter. The shelter is open from 7 P.M. to 6 A.M.

The Salvation Army provides staff and operational management for these shelters.

The City will have additional staff and crews available throughout the evening and weekend to respond to emergencies as they arise.